Our Reader’s Rig of the week comes from Raha from Canada, who shares the fully loaded Surly Bridge Club he’s been pedaling for more than a year on an open-ended bikepacking getaway. Meet Raha, see photos of his well-worn bike in Baja, and read a little about his travel philosophy here…

Words by Raha Bassidj, photos by Miles Arbour

Hey, I’m Raha (Farsi: “free, released, unbound, at ease”). Born and raised in Toronto, I was lucky to grow up in one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in the world—a mosaic of communities shaped by generations of immigration to Canada’s largest city. Combined with my family’s openness and unwavering support through the many twists and turns of my youth, as well as early experiences travelling independently within the relative safety of Canada, this allowed my curiosity about the effective infinitude of our world to grow virtually unhampered into adulthood.

Since those first mind-expanding experiences away from the familiarity of home, I’ve cultivated a deep appreciation for the kind of unbounded, nose-following travel that leaves you exposed to the elements. This kind of roaming feels raw, real, and honest in a way that reconnects us with something pragmatic and primordial. One steps into a parallel universe where immediate needs become refreshingly salient. Add a bike to the equation, and one can unplug even more profoundly from the pervasive rhythms and expectations of everyday society. Needing little more than money for food, the modest bikepacker can string together a series of days and quickly arrive in a world entirely distinct from the last, ready to confront new challenges that are deeply engaging for many reasons—not least of which is survival itself.

The low-intensity yet high-stakes nature of long-term bike travel becomes a means of connection, simply because one has no choice but to become a listener: to one’s body and mind, to the landscape and weather, to local customs, and to the quiet geography of sustenance and shelter.

For all these reasons and more, I sold almost all my belongings in early 2025 and put my money where my mouth was, setting off on an open-ended bikepacking journey. I haven’t looked back since—except to appreciate the joy I’ve found along the way. Much like my life, my route has been far from a clean, continuous line. There have been times when I’ve taken planes, trains, and automobiles. I have no final destination, only the next one—which always reveals itself given enough time and space. My only goals are to keep listening to the road with an open heart and to seek out beauty in its infinite forms.

• Frame: Surly Bridge Club
• Fork: Surly Cocktail Fork
• Rims: WTB ST i29, 32h (front) / Velocity Blunt 35 (rear)
• Hubs: Novatec (front) / Shimano Deore XT (rear)
• Tires: Maxxis Rekon Race 27.5 x 2.25″
• Handlebars: Ritchey Kyote
• Headset: Cane Creek 40
• Crankset: Shimano Cues
• Pedals: OneUp Comp Pedals
• Cassette: Shimano Cues 11-50T, 11-speed
• Derailleur(s): Shimano Cues
• Brakes: Tektro 160/160
• Shifter(s): Shimano Cues U6000
• Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Endurance Ti316 Superflow
• Seatpost: PNW Coast Dropper Suspension Seatpost
• Stem: Unknown
• Front bags: Vaude Trailfront Handlebar Bag, 2X Newboler 7L Fork Bags + Cages
• Frame bags: Mesabi 14L Full Frame Bag
• Rear bags: 2X Rhinowalk 20L Rear Pannier Bags, Sealine 10L Dry Bag
• Accessory bags: Zembsoya Top Tube Bag, Rockbros Top Tube Bag
• Other accessories: Naturehike YL08 Camping Chair; Apidura 3L Frame Bag Water Bladder

As of this writing, I’ve been on the road for over a year: island-hopping through coastal British Columbia, crossing interior BC and Eastern Canada, then tracing the Pacific coast from Canada through the U.S. and Baja California. Right now, I find myself in Mazatlán, immersed in the cacophony of colours, textures, and joyful energy infused into everyday life here.

My trusty camel, Shirley the Surly—a Surly Bridge Club purchased in Victoria specifically for this trip—has held up beautifully through it all: thousands of kilometres, snow, rain, bushwhacking, and countless adjustments to the fit.

One of the things I love most about bikepacking is the constant optimization of gear—weight distribution, accessibility, workflow efficiency. As such, I’m always tinkering with the setup, moving things around, and swapping parts in search of the elusive perfect configuration. At this point, I’m on my third set of handlebars, fifth stem, fourth saddle, and third set of grips. By the end of the trip, I’ll have figured it out.

Thus far, I haven’t paid for lodging once in over a year on the road—not for hotels, hostels, or campgrounds. I’ve relied exclusively on wild camping and the generosity of Warmshowers hosts in larger cities. Figuring out a quiet, dry, and discreet place to sleep as the sun starts to disappear is one of the many joys of bikepacking, and it’s a challenge I genuinely relish every day.

You can follow along with Raha on Instagram.

Further Reading

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